Ideas

the next game for beginners or to sharpen up preparation for summer tournament..

TOG Watch Night: The Secret Life of Components (Tim Hunkin) We’re kicking off a new bi-weekly Monday Watch Night at TOG. We’ll watch an episode of Tim Hunkin’s “The Secret Life of Components” together, then have a relaxed Q&A and discussion afterwards. This is a friendly, low-pressure way to learn the kind of practical tips you normally only pick up through years of making, fixing, and building. Perfect for beginners, makers, repair folks, and engineers who enjoy the practical side of components and mechanisms. How it works \- Watch together \(one episode per night\) \- Q&A and chat after: questions\, examples\, tangents\, and “how would we do this at TOG?” \- If you miss a week\, no stress\. Watch it at home and come along to the next one First session \- Monday 26 January \- Episode 1: Chain \- Free and open to all \- TOG Hackerspace \(Dublin 12\, D12 CF6V\) Full details: https://www.tog.ie/2026/01/tog-watch-night-the-secret-life-of-components-tim-hunkin/

Join us for an ultimate Frisbee session, and meet some lovely people. This is a relaxed evening of Ultimate Frisbee in Merrion square Park. No experience? No problem. Just bring yourself and whatever makes you comfy outdoors. But dress to run! NB: Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact sport. Do your utmost to avoid collisions with other players. *** 🗓 **What’s Happening** * Gentle warm-up + Frisbee basics * Friendly, low-pressure Ultimate Frisbee games * Optional: sideline cheering, lounging * Cool down & post-game hang *** 📍 **Where** **Merrion square park**, Dublin 💶 **Contribution** If you’d like to help cover the meetup costs and gear (cones, bibs, frisbees, etc), a **€2 contribution** is suggested. Revolut ref tag: [https://revolut.me/marise3](https://revolut.me/marise3) No pressure — you can join us either way. *** 🧺 **What to Bring** * Your fave snacks or drink (solo or to share) * A blanket or something comfy to sit on * Sunscreen, water, good energy, and running shoes ☁️ **Weather Watch** If it rains, we’ll update this page **90 minutes beforehand**. (Also: the traditional sun dance is already scheduled 🌞) *** 🔗 **More ways to connect** Looking for more social and creative outdoor & indoor fun? 👉 [https://activesocialconnections.com/](https://activesocialconnections.com/)

Come along to get rid of the number one fear people have. Every week we have new members and people starting from scratch so you will not be alone. Everything is based around what you're comfortable with and you don't have to stand up, talk or do anything if you don't feel like it. But you will have the opportunity to speak at least 4/5 times a night. You can come along to see what we're doing and take part if you like. We will be running this for beginners every week and anyone is welcome to join us to learn and get better together. Hope to see you there :D We charge €5 to help towards the room rental.

**Beginners sessions: starting and meeting new people.**

www.dublindancecoop.com for more info! Every Monday at 7.45 in the F2 Rialto. 12 euros. All Welcome. Freeform dancing, stretching, rolling around and playing with anything dance related. No experience necessary!

Hello TEDheads! It's holiday season!!! How do you like to travel? What do you do to holiday well? Bring your ideas. Let's explore how to holiday and travel well. Bring your holiday hacks, watch the videos for some inspiration, and let's level-up our holiday game together. ***Please watch the following TED talks if you can :)*** *** # ★ **Talk #1:** [Traveling without money, how and why](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXjped_8aIY) ``` In this talk, delivered in English, Edouard Jacqmin shares his experience of traveling across Europe without money for 21 days and discusses how the journey changed his perspective on human relationships. Most of us dream of traveling, yet many believe we can’t because we lack the funds. At the age of 24, I traveled through Eastern Europe for 21 days without spending a single cent. One day, I emptied my wallet and decided to hit the road. Traveling across five different countries, I learned four lessons during this incredible adventure that we can all apply to our daily lives. ``` https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXjped_8aIY # ★ **Resource # 2:** [The Value of Travel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYXiegTXsEs&t=25s) \| Rick Steves After spending 4 months a year for the last 30 years living out of a suitcase, Rick Steves reflects on the value of thoughtful travel. Sharing lessons learned from Iran to El Salvador and from India to Denmark, Steves tells why spending all that time and money away from home has broadened his perspective, enriched his life, and made it clear to him, as he says in his talk, "Fear is for people who don't get out very much." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYXiegTXsEs&t=25s **Please note the following:** We want to provide a space for those who are curious about life, enjoy TED Talks, and want to share their findings with others. Please join us as we consider this topic, **Wednesday, July 1 at 7:15pm.** Newcomers are most welcome! Hoping to see you there. (Please sign up only if you really intend to attend). NOTE: We ask for a **4 Euro contribution** on the night to cover costs. Thank you.

We are hosting an open **TouchDesigner** meetup with demos, hands-on learning, and space to share work with others using the software. This is part of a series of monthly events in collaboration with **[@noid_lab](https://www.instagram.com/noid_lab/)** typically on the last Wednesday each month in the space, so this month it's 1st July, 7-10pm. **Tickets are free** \- but registration is required to secure your place\. [Click here to register](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/touchdesigner-meetup-dublin-tickets-1989876226359) **Workshops:** This month's event will focus on MIDI integration in TouchDesigner, exploring how MIDI data can be used to control visuals, trigger events, manipulate parameters, and connect external hardware to interactive and audiovisual systems. Through demonstrations, we'll look at practical workflows for working with MIDI devices. **Format:** The session will run for around three hours in a relaxed, hands-on setting. With multiple rooms available at TOG Hackerspace, we can host beginner and advanced activities simultaneously, ensuring everyone gets the most out of the evening. The event will focus on learning, with a combination of scheduled short and long presentations/demonstrations. ### **Format** The session will run for around three hours in a relaxed, hands-on setting. The event will focus on learning, with a combination of scheduled short and long presentations/demonstrations. The last hour will take a more flattened and open approach, allowing the space for people to chat, share, learn, and explore TouchDesigner. Expect an informal, community-driven environment where the format adapts to participants. So if you would like to bring your laptop and learn the basics, share your projects, or connect with other using the software, this meetup offers a welcoming and supportive space to do so. The event is also a great opportunity to meet other creative technologists and artists, and to continue building the growing the digital art community in Ireland. Contact us at noidlab.collective@gmail.com to share ideas for future sessions or to express interest in presenting your work. A special thanks to TOG for allowing **[@noidlab](https://www.instagram.com/noid_lab/)** to use the space for these events, and **[Derivative](https://www.instagram.com/touchdesigner/)** for supporting the project. The meetups are hosted each month by a group of artists and creative technologists.

Join me as we walk 🎶 all along the banks of the Royal Canal. This is a linear walk from Drumcondra train station to Castleknock train station. Sights along the way include a goat sanctuary, Castleknock marina and the M50 viaduct. There is a regular train service from Castleknock and Dublin bus route 37 and 39 operate close by. 👣

⚠️ WEATHER DEPENDANT: we might cancel depending on the weather forecast. Please check the event 90 minutes in advance, for updates. 1. New Location: Outdoors in Merrion Square park, near the picnic tables in the middle of the park. 2. Start time: 7:30PM This event has a different topic each time and includes a variety of interactive exercises. It's an engaging and creative way to express ourselves, and connect with how others think, feel and deal with life. We will aim to provide a supportive and safe environment and open up about our lives freely. A lot of times we don't talk about what we are really going through because we are worried of what people might think of us. This causes us to bottle things up, feel disconnected with the people around us or feel ashamed of ourselves. Anything you share in the session is confidential and shall not be disclosed outside of the room. Please only RSVP if you intend to come and change your RSVP to 'No' if you are not going to be able to attend. **PRICE**: 5€ to cover costs (Revolut/Cash/Paypal). Please pay the fee after the event. **TIME**: We will start at 19:30 and finish at 21:00. Please be on time, to respect the event and other members in the group. **LOCATION: Merrion Square Park, near picnic tables.** **NOTE**: For some exercises we will sit on the ground, so please bring a picnic mat or something to sit on. \*\*Keep in touch with us: \*\*[https://activesocialconnections.com](https://activesocialconnections.com/)

⚠️ WEATHER DEPENDANT: we might cancel depending on the weather forecast. Please check the event 90 minutes in advance, for updates. In this Mystery event we will express ourselves creatively to connect with how others think and feel. Through: sensory exploration, light movement, and interactive exercises, we will explore new ways of communicating and understanding one another. ### **What to Expect:** * **Creative Storytelling & Association:** We will look at everyday items through a new lens. * **Sensory & Movement Exercises:** Engaging our senses and moving our bodies to break the ice. * **Connection:** Moving past small talk into genuine, personal sharing. ### **What to Bring:** * **A Mysterious Object:** Please bring a **Mysterious** object from home that holds personal meaning, a story, or a memory. (avoid objects like tablets, phones, headphones, etc.) * **An Open Mind:** Come ready to explore, listen, and share freely. **PRICE**: 3€ to cover costs (Revolut/Cash/Paypal). Please pay the fee after the event. **LOCATION:** Merrion Square Park, near picnic tables. **NOTE**: For some exercises we will sit on the ground, so please bring a picnic mat or something to sit on. **Keep in touch with us:** [https://activesocialconnections.com](https://activesocialconnections.com/)

The goal of this group is simple: to support and encourage each other to write more (myself included). I love writing short stories, but too often life gets in the way and I find excuses not to do it. This monthly group gathers together on the last Tuesday of every month in the lovely *Third Space* cafe in Smithfield to share and get feedback on our work. We’ll each get the chance to share an extract from a piece we’ve written, read it aloud and get feedback (in a nice quiet creative space). Any form of writing is great – whether screenwriting, poetry, flash fiction or something else. We pride ourselves in promoting a really friendly, safe space to share freely, but if you’d prefer to listen for the first while, that’s cool too. If you fancy coming along: * RSVP to an event * Come along to a session * Get added to our WhatsApp group once you're there * Add a copy of your piece to our shared drive (so we can follow along as you read) * You'll get 4 mins to read your work, and 4 mins of feedback We have lots of regulars but always love welcoming new people, perspectives and writing, so do feel free to come along and I hope you enjoy it!

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE: the Q&A has been cancelled as the director is currently unwell. You should have got an email from the Light House with that update. You can email them at mail@lighthousecinema.ie to ask for a refund. ------------------------------------------------ Hello! [https://www.lighthousecinema.ie/film/blue-heron](https://www.lighthousecinema.ie/film/blue-heron) Please book your ticket ASAP as these screenings with a Q&A always sell out. Meeting place: the cafe on the ground floor in the cinema. Meeting time: around 6pm. Take our seats time: 610pm. Film time: 630pm. Thanks! Alan [https://www.lighthousecinema.ie/film/blue-heron](https://www.lighthousecinema.ie/film/blue-heron)

You can sleep in on the Sesquicentennial (observed), we’re shifting to the following Friday. But join the local UX community for a chat and some biscuits to catch up. If you were in CA for Figma Config, tell us all the lines and you can tell me how I can animate an SVG without coding it by hand, and why I’d even want to. Thanks to the team at Nationwide of supporting the group.

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.

This month we’ll be reading Masters of Death by Olivie Blake. Feel free to attend even if you don’t finish the book!

Most people use LLMs by feel: ask a question, read the answer, decide whether it “seems good,” and move on. That works for casual use. It does not work when you are building software, automating workflows, writing important documents, or relying on AI for anything that needs to be repeatable. In this talk, we’ll look at how to improve and evaluate the inputs and outputs of LLMs using practical measurement techniques. We’ll cover how prompt changes affect results, how to compare outputs, how to build simple evaluation sets, and how math-based methods like similarity scoring can help you move beyond guesswork. This will be beginner-friendly, so even if you don't know anything about AI, you should get something out of it. However, this will be a little more technical than our intro talks. You do not need to be an AI researcher, but programmers and technically curious attendees will get a lot out of it. We’ll cover: * Why “it looks good” is not enough * How to improve prompts by changing the input, context, and constraints * How to compare LLM outputs more systematically * Basic evaluation techniques for accuracy, consistency, and usefulness * How embeddings, cosine similarity, and scoring can help evaluate results * Where automated evaluation works — and where humans still need to stay in the loop By the end, you’ll have a practical mental model for treating LLMs less like magic and more like systems you can test, measure, and improve. LOGISTICS AND PARKING: The talk starts at 7:00 PM. The first half hour is reserved for everyone to get set up and mingle. Free pizza and drinks! The cheapest parking option is to find street parking, which will only cost you a few bucks. Otherwise, park in the nearby veteran's museum lot for $8. It's highly recommended you avoid the nearby $15 garage parking.

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, February 11 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

We have moved to guild.host. Look us up there. https://guild.host/events/buckeye-cocoaheads-rcavwd